Step 2: Insert the canister and use the camera!

Step 3: Why use a diffuser?

You'll now find that the flash is no longer as harsh and overpowering when taking portrait photos close up, as well as macro and normal close-ups of s...

DSLR pop-up flashes are very usefull when you do not want to carry your large hot shoe flash around, but are quite limited in both power and control. They tend to make harsh shadows and blow out close subjects.

To make photos more pleasing, many people use a diffuser.

You could buy one, but most people make them They are homebrewed with everything from a simple sheet of paper to plastic cards and even fancy "origami" folded papers.

This is yet another diffuser, but I think it shines by it's simplicity. It's made from something almost all photographers have in the bottom of a drawer... a film canister.

Ooh, I actually just completed the same diffuser without your instructable. It fits exceptionally well on my Sony DSLR A-100. A permanent marker and metal ruler are invaluable for cutting this, as mentioned before. A (somewhat unnecessary) addition is to fit a bit of reflective material, ex. tin foil, behind the flash to bounce back more light. Again, this may be unnecessary because the white plastic will accomplish the same thing.

PS: I think a few more detailed tips would be helpful now that i've made the diffuser myself. :) It's good to have a small ruler handy. You don't have to get it perfect, but it helps to have it measured out if possible. I took a small metal ruler I had and used a permanent marker to try to mark where I should cut. Of course be very careful with cutting. It's easy to let it slip and catch your finger. Don't worry if you don't cut on the line, but it is always better to cut too little instead of too much. The plastic is very easy to cut so you can shave off extra plastic after you have the rectangle cut out. My flash was almost the size of the film case, so I had to cut into the lid a bit. I just kept the lid on and cut it right from the hole i originally made to make it fit. Now I'm excited to go take some pictures!

Excellent. I frequently find myself grabbing a piece of paper to hold in front to diffuse it. I'm going to have to make one of these and just keep it with my camera. Simple yet highly effective. Good job.